Private schools association seeks separate Bill to protect teachers, educational institutions

The KAMS, a consortium of primary and secondary schools in Karnataka, has called for a distinct legislation to safeguard teachers, modeled after existing laws protecting medical practitioners and lawyers. D. Shashi Kumar, the General Secretary of KAMS, cited instances of parents, guardians, or organized groups abusing, threatening, assaulting, or manhandling teachers and school administrators.

He lamented the forcible entry into school premises, intimidating demonstrations, and obstruction of academic activities. KAMS has urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to introduce the Karnataka Education Safety, Institutional Security, and Teacher Protection Bill. However, K.T. Thippeswamy, a child rights activist, raised concerns that such a Bill could infringe upon the Child Rights Act, 2015, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Thippeswamy warned that a separate Bill could result in potential abuse or corporal punishment of children under the guise of enforcing teacher protection. He suggested that the government could amend the existing Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, and POCSO Act, 2012, to impose penalties for illegal misuse, rather than creating a new legislation.